Tesco and M&S among first to join Compostable Coalition UK

Representatives from Tesco, Marks and Spencer and Ocado Retail are among the first to be named as Compostable Coalition UK advisory board members. Compostable Coalition UK has assembled the advisory board as part of its UK Research and Innovation funded ‘Closing the Loop for Compostable Packaging’ research project. Funded by UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) £60m Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Challenge, the research project examines the practicality of effectively collecting, sorting and recycling compostable packaging through the UK’s existing collection and treatment streams. The project will address the potential role of mainstreaming compostable packaging as a replacement for some hard-to-recycle plastics while ensuring these can be effectively treated and organically recycled post consumption. Key application segments where little to no recycling is feasible, such as tea bags, coffee pods, fresh produce packaging and foodservice packaging, will be evaluated and assessed within the project. Advisory board members, who are also members of the UK’s Plastics Pact, will “ensure the research project is objective, empirically robust and supports the priorities and interests of key stakeholders”. The advisory board members have been confirmed as follows: James Bull, head of packaging and food waste strategies, Tesco Sam Clough, senior packaging technologist, Marks and Spencer Laura Fernandez, senior packaging and sustainability manager, Ocado Retail Margaret Bates, executive director, OPRL Paula Chin, senior policy advisor (Consumption), WWF Tomos Davies from Compostable Coalition said: “We are delighted to have assembled such a formidable group of packaging and wider industry experts to join our research project. Their insights and expertise will prove invaluable in finessing the research project as well as ensuring the objectivity and robustness of our research trials. “With the advisory board’s expert input, we are confident the project’s findings can successfully signpost industry and Governments towards the necessary policy and behavioural interventions.” Laura Fernandez from Ocado Retail added: “At Ocado Retail, we're committed to continue innovating to ensure our packaging is the best it can be for the planet. I'm delighted to join this project with industry colleagues to help determine the possible benefits of compostable packaging and the role it can play in the circular economy when used appropriately and when it is supported by an effective collection, sorting and recycling infrastructure.” Sam Clough from M&S said: “At M&S, we know that meeting our commitments to customers on plastic will require us to explore all options. Plastic waste is a difficult problem to solve and compostables could be part of the solution. But their lifecycle is complex, and the benefits are hard to validate. I look forward to supporting this important initiative and being able to critique the findings and help shape the future of compostables on behalf of our customers.”